A safe place to fly
Rich Hanson
richh@modelaircraft.org
For more than 80 years, AMA members have operated their model aircraft safely and responsibly. After decades of operations and millions of flights, the aeromodeling community has achieved an excellent, and even enviable, safety record. This is in part because of the relatively low risk that model aircraft present to people and property, and in large part because of the community’s adherence to a simple set of safety principles and guidelines. It all starts with finding a safe place to fly.
This is not to say that model aircraft mishaps are uncommon. In fact, you can go to a local flying site on any given Sunday and witness any number of miscues, snafus, and failures, but modelers understand that their treasured creations are fallible and subject to misfortune. As such, they operate their aircraft in locations away from people and sensitive property, and in a manner that ensures that when a mishap does occur, the only damage is to the aircraft and the modeler’s pride.
Finding a safe place to fly starts with examining a proposed site. Is the area large enough to accommodate the safe operation of the intended model aircraft? Is it free of obstacles, power lines, and overhanging trees? Does it allow for a safe and obstacle-free takeoff, landing approach, and flight maneuver area?
Is it away from heavily traveled roadways, parkways, and walking and biking paths? Are you able to ensure that bystanders, joggers, bicyclists, and pets remain out of the area when model aircraft are in flight? Are there restrictions to operating unmanned aircraft in this area? Do you need permission to fly in the area? If it is private property, do you have permission to fly on and over the site?
After you have located a potential site, examine the environment and its surrounding area. Is the area compatible with this type of recreational activity? Is there a possibility that noise could be an issue, or could the modeling activity be viewed as a nuisance? Sensitive areas might include residential areas, places of worship, healthcare facilities, or memorial parks. Remember, we not only need to fly safely, but be community friendly as well.
When you’ve examined the area, you also need to examine the airspace in which you intend to operate. Where is the site in relationship to manned aircraft operations such as airports, heliports, or seaplane bases? Are there routine manned aircraft operations that pass over or near the site, such as approaches into and departures out of hospital helipads?
If you are near an airport, where is the site in relationship to the flight patterns into and out of the facility? Are you near the departure path or the approach path to an active runway? Are you at or near routine reporting points that manned aircraft use to identify their location? Are the manned aircraft flight altitudes in the area sufficiently low to where the model aircraft operation could be viewed as a safety concern?
Remember that model aircraft must never interfere with manned aircraft operations. Model aircraft must remain well clear of manned aircraft and you must use “See and Avoid” guidelines to remain clear of manned aircraft at all times (see AMA document 540-D for guidance).
If you are within 5 miles of an active airport or heliport, you must notify the facility before operating your model aircraft. Contact the airport manager or fixed-based operator who coordinates flight operations. Be sure that he or she understands who you are. Explain that you’re an AMA member and let him or her know what you’re planning to fly, and where and when you’ll be flying. Be receptive and sensitive to any safety concerns he or she might have. Work to resolve any differences and mitigate identified safety concerns.
You are not required to obtain permission to operate, and most airports will be unwilling to express authorization because of liability concerns, however, if there are unresolved safety concerns, AMA recommends that you forgo the operation and find a different location at which to fly. If you feel you’re being treated unfairly by the airport, contact AMA’s flying site assistance coordinator and report the occurrence.
If there is a control tower at the airport, air traffic control must be notified as well. AMA recommends that you first contact the airport operator and request his or her assistance in contacting the tower.
After you have found and settled on a safe place to fly, have a great modeling day, but remember that maintaining a safe place to fly is all about situational awareness. You must always be alert to changes in your operating environment, changes in the regulatory environment, and even changes in the weather—but don’t let that rain on your parade!
